ANAHEIM ANGELS HITTING coach Don Baylor fell and broke his right leg while catching a ceremonial first pitch from Angels star Vladimir Guerrero to start Monday’s season opener against Seattle.
The 64-year-old former Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs manager will have surgery on his femur Tuesday.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Don,” Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia said. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
The ceremony featured the only two Angel greats who have won American League MVP awards. Baylor won in 1979 and Guerrero in 2004.
Guerrero’s toss was low and wide but Baylor made a stab for it, lunging for a backhand grab. But he twisted awkwardly and was unable to get up. He was helped off the field by the trainers and taken by ambulance to a California hospital.
Here’s the incident. It’s more awkward than gruesome but still, viewer discretion advised:
